Wednesday, July 13, 2011

American Sabor!

Explore the history and evolution of Latinos in U.S. popular music at the American Sabor exhibit, at the Smithsonian through October 9th.




The very names of Latin music genres suggest an irresistible, unmistakable rhythm. Salsa. Mambo. Rumba. Cha-cha-chá. And through the decades, these distinctive musical styles have continually—and profoundly—influenced American popular music. Latino musicians helped shape many traditional genres of music in the United States, including jazz, R&B, rock ’n’ roll, and hip hop.

American Sabor: Latinos in U.S. Popular Music is based on an exhibition of the same name developed by the Experience Music Project with scholars from the University of Washington and tells the fascinating story of that impact. With beautifully designed bilingual text panels, striking graphics and photographs, listening stations, compelling films, and musical instruments, the show celebrates the true flavor, or “sabor,” of Latin music in the United States. The exhibition focuses on five major centers of Latino popular music production in the years after World War II – New York City, Los Angeles, Miami, San Antonio, and San Francisco—which represent the remarkable diversity of this music.


Or check out one of these resources:


Encyclopedia of Latino Popular Culture. E184 S75 E59 2004


Congo to Cuba CD M1681 C9 C66x 2002


Nuevo Latino CD M1686.18 N848x 2002

Dangerous Curves: Latina Bodies in the Media P94.5 W642 U665 2010

Friday, July 01, 2011

Happy Birthday America

The College will be closed on Monday 4 July in observance of Independence Day.





While you're waiting for those fireworks, why not check out and read a good book?


Patriotic Holidays of the United States: An Introduction to the History, Symbols and Tradition. JK1761 H46 2006


Founding Mothers: The Women Who Raised Our Nation. E176 R63 2004


The Chemistry of Fireworks. TP300 R87 2000


Old World, New World: Great Britain and America from the Beginning. E183.8 G7 B57 2008


Not everyone was so keen on independence:


Tories: Fighting for King in America's First Civil War. E209 A45x 2010